Garner Deadlines Thursday by 12 p.m. (the week prior to publication date) is the deadline for submission of typed, faxed and handwritten items to be submitted for the following week's paper. They can be faxed to 552-7564. The deadline for e-mailed submissions is Friday by 5 p.m. Send emails to kgriffith@raleighsouthonline.com. Submissions should be no longer than 100 words.

Red Cross Blood Drive The next Red Cross blood drive will be on Friday, Aug. 28 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The drive will be held at St Mary Mother of the Church at 1008 Vandora Springs Road in Garner. Please call Peggy Roberts at 779-4326 for an appointment or more information. Walk-ins are very welcome, and 16 year olds can donate with a signed permission form from a parent.

Open Mic Night Ever wonder what it’s like to perform on a real stage with a real sound system? Then why not join us on Aug. 28 at the Garner Historic Auditorium for a night of entertainment to showcase Garner’s INCREDIBLE talent? For only $5 you may register to participate, or just sit back and be entertained from 7 to 10 p.m. with great local talent. The evening will be hosted by national comedian Dan Pace. Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Nathan Cottrell at 919‐661‐6988 or email ncottrell@garnernc.gov.

Sidewalk Ribbon Cutting and Community Walk Please join the Mayor, Garner Town Council, Town Residents and Town Staff on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m., across from the Garner Town Hall Complex, as we join together to celebrate the completion of Garner’s newest sidewalk project. The ceremony will be followed by a walk around the 4.2 mile loop that runs from 5th Ave. down Aversboro Rd. to Vandora Springs Road and back to 7th Ave. A shuttle bus will be available for those who prefer to stop walking at the halfway point. Parking will be available at Garner Town Hall.

Southern Regional GAP Kincare Support Group The Southern Regional GAP (Grandparents as Parents) Kincare Support Group meets once a month on the third Friday evening of the month at 6:30 p.m. The mission of the Southern Regional GAP is to provide ongoing support not only to grandparents but all family members caring for other family members. GAP meets at the Fuquay-Varina Presbyterian Church at 310 N. Ennis St. in Fuquay-Varina. The downstairs meeting room can be accessed through the back entrance. Come share resources and community support and listen to informative speakers. Bring a dish for a potluck dinner and join our group for a chance to gather useful information and talk with other family members just like you. Childcare will be provided. Meetings will be held Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, 2009. Contact Ruth Cole at 919-567-1017 or Debi Sikes at 919-341-2914.

Boating Safety Course The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Cary Flotilla, is offering the Coast Guard approved, Boating Skills and Seamanship for powerboaters from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for eight Monday evenings, starting Sept. 21, 2009 at the Cary Senior Center ab Bond Park in Cary. Class size is limited. Pre-registration is necessary. Instruction is free; cost of materials is $45. Call the Flotilla at 919-781-5917 or email cgaux911pe@bellsouth.net.

PTSD – Free Classes for Soldiers & Families What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? An anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Naturally, many soldiers returning from combat may have symptoms of this problem. Is there hope for healing and management? Yes, with treatment. Come learn how you, the caretaker, can help them. (parents of soldiers, spouse, anyone) Dr. Bergidas'class description: Free education for military service members and their families on the readjustment process following a deployment. Classes will focus on: common reactions after a deployment (including post-traumatic stress reactions), communication challenges and strategies, and coping with stress of deployments for service members and family at home. These topics will be discussed in an open forum to answer questions and address needs of the class members. Classes led by Heather Bergida, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at the Raleigh Vet Center. Classes will be held tentatively Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Triangle Baptist Church, 9713 old Stage Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 www.tribaptist.org 919-661-7755. Childcare is provided. Contact Coordinator, Ronna Jones at 772-3482 for more information.

Second Annual White Deer Dash 5K & Family Fun Run To celebrate the construction of White Deer Park, with its environmental education center, the Town of Garner is hosting its Second Annual White Deer Dash 5K and Family Fun Run Sept. 26. By highlighting various “green” practices, this event will not only be fun for the family, but good for the environment. Staged at neighboring Lake Benson Park, this event will provide fitness and environmental educational opportunities for everyone in the family. Registration and a Runner’s Packet will be available on Friday, Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Avery St. Recreation Center and at Lake Benson Park on Race Day beginning at 6:30 am. Visit www.garnerparks.org for more information.

Greater Vision in Concert Greater Vision, America's premier Southern Gospel trio, will be in concert at Bethel Baptist Cary on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.). Call the church office at 467-6789 to purchase tickets. Prices are $17 for stage seating (rows 1-5), $12 for floor seating (rows 6-16) and $7 for balcony seating.

Class of 1984 The Garner Senior High School Class of 1984 is having our 25-year reunion the weekend of Oct. 2-4, 2009. All information regarding the reunion can be found on our website, www.gshsclassof1984.myevent.com.

Fifth Annual Ava Gardner Festival Each year the Ava Gardner Museum celebrates Ava's life and career by hosting the Ava Gardner Festival. This annual event includes heritage tours, screenings of classic Ava Gardner films, and special exhibits. This year's festival will kickoff during the Ava Gardner Festival Gala on Friday evening, Oct. 9 and will continue Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The theme for the fifth annual festival celebrates the special relationship Ava shared with Ernest Hemingway. Ava called Ernest Hemingway "Papa," and he called her "Daughter." The accomplished author admired Ava's work in the films based on his works, and considered her "the most exciting woman of her generation." On Saturday, Oct. 10, heritage tours will be scheduled throughout the day. These tours will be hosted by Doris Rollins Cannon, Johnston County native and Ava Gardner biographer, and Rick Lotz, Chair of the Museum's Board of Directors. Visitors will be shown points of interest in Ava's hometown. Call 919-934-5830.

SJHS Class of ‘79 The South Johnston High School Class of 1979 is having their 30th year reunion Nov. 28, 2009 at the Johnston County Country Club in Smithfield, N.C. from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Call Cindy Johnson at 919-662-0004 or Debbie Barbour at 919-801-9497.

South Johnston HS 1984 Class Reunion South Johnston High School Class of 1984 is planning their 25th year class reunion for later this fall. If you were part of the 1984 SJHS class, contact Pam Stephenson at 919 894-1748, pam.stephenson@embarqmail.com or Ronnie Lee at 919-818-4270, barnstormer1932@ yahoo.com.

Memory Loss Caregiver Support Group Memory Loss and Dementia Caregiver Support Group. Provides emotional support and practical information for family members and caregivers of those with memory loss and dementia. Meets at Sunrise Assisted Living of Cary second Thursday of every month at 3 p.m. RSVP to 919-462-9147

Volunteers Needed Can you spare one hour per month? If so, would you donate it to us? Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers who are willing to spare one hour of their time to deliver lunch to home bound citizens in the Garner area on weekdays only. Call 919-772-5057 or visit the Garner Senior Center at 205 E. Garner Road between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.

Military Families Connection This is a group of military families that live away from a base, who meet to learn from and lean on each other. It is very important to be with others that are going through the same thing that you are. We can help you through the difficult time when your loved one is in harm’s way, or will be deployed soon. We have classes, speakers as needed, and discuss problems and resources. Anyone is welcome to come. We meet the second Monday and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Triangle Baptist Church at 9713 Old Stage Road. Childcare is provided. Call 919-661-7755.

Bible Buddies New Life Wesleyan Church is offering Bible Buddies, a special needs class, for ages K-5th. Held every Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The class focuses on music, sensory activities, art, snacks and one on one Bible teaching. Each child is prayed for every Sunday. All disabilities are welcome. Lots of fun for the kids and a chance for parents /caregivers to relax. For more information, call Lisa at 919-934-7497.

Yes He Can Prayer meeting Yes He Can, a weekly prayer meeting, takes place every Sunday from 8 to 9 a.m. at East Garner Middle School’s auditorium. The prayer meeting is sponsored by the Kingdom Advancement and Empower-ment Center. 919-772-8454 or visit www.KingdomAdvance.org.

Looking for Vendors On Oct. 31 the Fuquay-Varina Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Seventh Annual Day in Downtown in the historic Fuquay downtown business district on South Main Street. The day will consist of an arts and craft fair, chili cook-off, Kids Korner, entertainment, food vendors and more. The fair runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is FREE. Call 919-552-4947 for vendor information.

Southside Christian School Southside Christian School (near 40/42) is currently enrolling students. Low student/teacher ratio. Excellent ABeka curriculum. Degreed teachers. Join a Christian school for Christian families. Call 553-7652.

Scouts Needed Troop 397 meets every Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Mother of Church in garner (1008 Vandora Springs Road). The Troop is looking for new members, but those interested must be in at least sixth grade. The Troop does a number of activities including camping, hiking, community service projects and much more.

Red Hat Society Interested in joining a day-time Red Hat Society group? Our chapter is seeking a few new members -- congenial women 50 and older who want to have fun, meet new friends, lunch at a different restaurant each month, play RH bingo, ride to our outing in a limo, etc. We meet the first Friday of the month (subject to change for holiday months) at 11:30. Please call the Queen Mum at 661-7368.

Christian Academy Lighthouse Christian Academy NOW Enrolling Grades 1-12. A.C.E. Curriculum, We offer relaxed atmosphere, positive influence, smaller class sizes, Art, Drama, Key Club, Service Projects, History and Science Fairs, P.E., Tutoring and so much more! Call LCA at 427-8362.

Immunization Clinic Wake County Human Services offers an Immunization Clinic on Mondays and Fridays at the Wake County Southern Regional Center. The SRC is located at 130 N. Judd Parkway NE in Fuquay-Varina, directly across from the U.S. Post Office, and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:15 p.m. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 212-7000 and requesting an appointment at SRC. Fees are based on the type of vaccine used, but all children’s’ vaccines are free for all children 18 and younger.

Volunteers needed The North Carolina Emergency Reserves (NCER) has opportunities for all who wish to be involved in most aspects of disaster-response. Membership is open to all state citizens age 18 and up. For information on time and place of monthly training meetings in your area, call 919-269-3453 or email ncerpio@yahoo.com.